ICS Daily Devotions
Where Have You Built Your Identity?
Matthew 7:24-27 (NKJV) “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
In the opening passage, Jesus was making a comparison between the wise and foolish men. The difference in how they reacted to a crisis lies in the different foundations of their lives. We can either build our foundation on the sand which will not withstand the flood, or on the rock. Jesus warns us that the rain and the flood will come sooner or later, and the sole determinating factor of whether the building with stand is its foundation.
The fool is someone who lacks foresight, is more concerned about present earthly pleasures than eternity, has no respect for God nor prioritises the things of God. This person’s confidence is in themselves rather than in God.
As Christians, we thought we would know better, but as it turns out, many Christians have been deceived into building their foundation on the sand by building their identity on the sense of self and self-worth. Although they know that the present life is temporal, they are still putting a great emphasis on it, and have neglected the eternity where they will be spending with God. Forgetting the command to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and everything will be added to us, they have chosen to pursue everything that this life has to offer by seeking significance through their sense of self-worth and earthly treasures instead of seeking God first.
Both buildings were built in the same location, and encountered the same storm and flood. Although we can’t visually differentiate between the two buildings, nor can we see their foundations, we will know their difference when the storm hits and the flood arises. Similarly, all of us will face challenges in life, and we will either respond in faith if we have developed ourselves well in the Word, or succumb to the pressures of the tribulation. Therefore, Jesus is encouraging us to build our foundation on the Word of God, so that we will be able to withstand the tribulation when it comes.
Sermon Series: He Came to Give You a New Identity (Part 2)
